Research Forum

Have had this query from member Peter FOLLETT - I will pass on your replies.

"Francis Stephen DYMOND died on 24 March 1943 in RAF Hospital Poulton, Lancashire of septicaemia. I have a copy of his death certificate.    He had joined the RAFVR only a month earlier on 21 February.

 This discovery came about when the CWGC placed a plaque at the entrance to St Mary’s Churchyard, Hutton stating there was a war grave in the churchyard. He is buried in a family plot with his grandparents and uncle.   Why he is not on any war Memorial is a mystery maybe his parents did not want his name on a memorial or maybe they thought he did not qualify as he had served for such a short time.

  In 1939 the family were living in 7 Bournville Road ,but at the time of his death his parents were living in Victoria Cottage, Station Road his father was the caretaker of the Methodist Church. According to the Mercury he was employed as a clerk at Bristol railway station before enlisting. There could be War Memorial recording the names of railway men who died during the war and he could be recorded there.

  Hutton Parish Council have agreed to add his name to the Hutton War Memorial subject to every effort being made to trace any relatives, to obtain their view as recommended by the War Memorial Trust.

  His parents were

• Francis William DYMOND born 1890 died 1962 and 

• Ophelia Maud DYMOND nee BOWEN born 1896 died 1972

  Any relatives would be descendants of his parents brothers and sisters."

 Any help would be appreciated in tracing them to get permission to add his name to appropriate memorials. 

I have received this query - I will pass on any response from our members.

"I am currently researching a Roll of Honour for Langholm, Dumfriesshire.
The Roll of Honour will be privately printed with any profits, after printing costs, donated to the Royal British Legion.
I am trying to locate a photo of Colin Granville Birch, son of the Revd. Arthur Pershouse Birch, and of Faith Madeline Birch, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, reported missing, 28/11/1940.
He was reported missing in the same aircraft as Robert Vevers, from Langholm.
I am also trying to locate a crew photo of the aircraft.
Any assistance would be most appreciated."

Colin was born in 1920 with mother's maiden name of ORAM.  In Sept 1940 the Western Daily Press reported that he had been awarded the DFC for an earlier action.  Colin BIRCH had been educated at Wells Cathedral School.  His father had died in 1924 and his mother remarried the same year to Rev James A TAYLOR in Bristol and they were living in Churchill Vicarage in 1939 with other BIRCH children

If you have any suggestions about a photograph - either of Colin BIRCH or the rest of the crew please add a comment

Dear Pat,

I'm getting back to an email which you kindly sent to me last August! - hoping you might be able to help me further.

I sent the vicar at St. Jude's Church (now St. Andrew's) a couple of emails as you suggested, but he hasn't found any information.

I was able to visit Weston 11th-13th September (unfortunately not the Saturday) and the Heritage Open Days booklet says St. Jude's was "designed by Hans Price in 1887".

You suggested that George Dyer 1862-1934 was the most likely candidate as church builder, but he would have been aged 25. In the 1881 census he is a "Builder's Assistant" and in 1891 he is a "Contractor", presumably well supported by his Father who is a "Builder & Contractor".

I am wondering whether it might have been more of a family project. Do you have any indications pointing to George Dyer, please?

I have other questions, but thought it best to deal with them one at a time!
Many thanks for the supportive offers of the the Weston FHS.

Best wishes,

Derrick


Reply from Pat Hase

I think you will find that the George DYER who built St Judes was William's son and he was born in about 1862 in Kewstoke. He died in 1934.  I found it quite difficult to find any documentation about the building of the Church.

The following has been brought to my notice as there are several surnames mentioned of who (as they describe themselves) are principal inhabitants of weston and Kewstoke.  Do any of them appear in your family tree?

Bristol Mirror - Saturday 13 February 1808

WESTON SUPER-MARE and KEWSTOKE ASSOCIATION

For the prevention of Depredations etc. and for the Prosecution of Offenders. We, the principal Inhabitants of the United Parishes of  Weston-super-Mare, and Kewstoke, have entered into an Association for the Protection of our Properties from Depredation, and for the Detection, Apprehension, and Prosecution of Offenders against the same.— And have resolved to prosecute all such offenders to the utmost rigour of the law, and to use our utmost endeavours to discover-and bring strict justice all Persons who shall commit any Offence against our respective properties. We have appointed Mr. James Parker, jun. Solicitor, Axbridge, Secretary the Association.

WESTON SUPER-MARE. Rev. Wadham PIGOTT, Daniel WAKELEY, Richard PARSLEY, Joseph HARSE, James P. CAPELL, Thomas COOK, John KING

KEWSTOKE. William HALL, John GOULD, Joseph SHEPPARD, Benjamin HUNT, Martha CAPELL, John KNOWLES, Henry FRY. John TWITT, Thomas HARDWICK, John READ, Arthur BISHOP, Samuel DAY, Joseph MANNING, Henry VOWLES. -  February 10th, 1808.

The above named Samuel NICHOLS or NICHOLLS is my husband's 3 x great grandfather and he married Rebecca DYER at St Mary's Church Wedmore on the 26th April 1798.   I think he died in 1843, aged 68; his wife Rebecca having died just a month earlier, aged 73. But who were Samuel's parents? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Further to my previous post above regarding two funerals mentioned in the 1945 Clevedon Mercury, I then turned my attention to the reporting of my paternal grandfather's funeral in November l943.  Again I have an original page from the paper, and again a little ragged around the edges!  

There are two weddings mentioned on the pages I have, which may help someone with their researches.  I would mention that the reporting of these weddings (as with the funerals before) are in the 'old style' we used to see in the newspapers, in that they give full accounts of the bride's dress, veil, flowers, plus the bridesmaids and what the respective mothers' wore. 

If these names ring any bells do contact me and I will pass on the details to you.  The weddings are:

PTE W.C. Wakefield and Miss M Bibbing, which took place at Clevedon Parish Church.  

It would appear that both PTE Wakefield and his best man, Sgt Adam Stark, had been prisoners of war together.

Also the wedding was attended by Lord and Lady Teignmouth (who also acted as witnesses)  

The second wedding is:

Dennis Fredk Sansum and Margaret May Morris - both of Clevedon. 

The account is lengthy, even telling us they went to Ilfracombe for their honeymoon and the fact that (even though it was war time) they received over 50 presents!  

As I say above, if they are of interest to you, do let me know.  

RosieW